Know the Mysteries of Yucatán: Its Cenotes

What are cenotes?

Cenote comes from the Mayan: "hole with water." In scientific terms, cenotes are transitory geomorphological structures, which can end up filled and dried up, so they are known as subway rivers.

In the Mayan culture, these natural wells were used for rituals. This is because, for them, these subway rivers represent the connection with Xibalba, the Maya underworld. For this reason, it is common to find archaeological sites of great cities such as Chichén Itzá or Tulum near cenotes. In addition, to symbolic designs engraved on rocks, Mayan petroglyphs have been found in some of them, such as the "Pochote" or "Che-Há" cenote.

There are several types of cenotes, open-air, semi-open, and subway or in caves. This classification is closely related to their age, the mature ones, those entirely open, and the younger ones, still conserving their dome intact.

The most impressive cenotes in Yucatán.

Visiting the cenotes is a perfect excuse to practice ecotourism and stay at Künük, one of the best hotels in Merida. This town has a privileged location to visit Chichén Itzá and the surrounding cenotes.

Below, we will share the most impressive cenotes you should take advantage of in your next stay in Yucatán.

Zací Cenote

The city of Valladolid, before the colony, received the Mayan name Zací, which means White Sparrowhawk. That is why this cenote located in this city gets that name. This is one of the most impressive cenotes, measuring approximately 40 meters deep.

It is an open sky cenote, accessed through a cave descending a stone staircase, so visiting it is even more extraordinary. Since it is semi-open, visitors can observe and swim in it, allowing them to keep the cenote inside and out.

You can also witness performances of Mayan ceremonies and rituals in the cenote. There are restaurants nearby to enjoy local food and a breathtaking view.

San Ignacio Cenote

20 minutes from the hotels in Mérida is the San Ignacio Cenote, located in the municipality of Chocholá, so it is a must-see if you are staying with us at Künük.

Another name given to this cenote is Tunich Ha which means Water in Stone. It is impressive because it is a cave, so you can only access it through wooden stairs.

The water in this cenote inverts its temperature according to the outside temperature. That is to say, if outside the cenote there is a temperature of 38 °C, inside it, the temperature will make you feel cooler, while on a cold day, the water will be lukewarm.

The cenotes of Yaxunah.

Yaxunah is an area of 6 cenotes. One of the most impressive is Lol Ha, whose name in Mayan means Flower of Water. This cenote has its flora and fauna; among these, we can name the Matapalos, a characteristic tree of the region.

Visiting Yaxunah means having the opportunity to camp near the cenotes to have a more authentic connection with the nature of the place. In short, seeing this area of cenotes is an adventure.

Kankirixche Cenote

This cenote is located 60 km from the city of Mérida, which allows you to stay at Künük, one of the best hotels in Mérida. In addition, you can also visit the ruins of Uxmal, as it is located near this archaeological site.

What makes this cenote one of the most impressive is its crystal clear waters. It is ideal for swimming and exploring. Many tourists visit it for diving and snorkeling. Because it is a semi-open cenote, you must access it by a ladder.